Sectionalized table



Aug. 26, 1969 E. J. DOUCETTE 3,463,099

SECTIONALIZED TABLE Filed Au 1. 19s? w 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 25 r m in nu 36 28 38 29 36 16 36 3:9 35 3&1 I um I\" u!" L/MJ 24 T g- 26, 1969 E. J. DOUCETTE SECTIONALIZED TABLE 2 Sheets-Sheet Filed Aug. 1, 1967 [HAP] Fla/0 United States Patent 3,463,099 SECTIONALIZED TABLE Edmund J. Doucette, 50 Monmouth Blvd., Oceanport, NJ. 07757 Filed Aug. 1, 1967, Ser. No. 657,609 Int. Cl. A47b 3/06 US. Cl. 108-111 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A collapsible table having two top slabs removably secured to a pair of elongated, parallel supporting beams, swivel bars connecting said beams to permit maximum spacing therebetween for accurate alignment and receipt of the slabs and to also permit minimum spacing so that the beams collapse when the slabs are removed.

This invention relates generally to a portable table and more particularly relates to a separable, collapsible table which is quickly disassembled into easily stored components.

The table is universally recognized as a basic utilitarian structure. It is most commonly a rigid assembly of parts which are usually aesthetically contrived. Portable and collapsible tables have been made available by the prior art to meet needs which cannot efliciently be fulfilled by non-collapsible type tables. Ideal requirements for a portable, collapsible table are that it be compact in its disassembled condition so that its components are easily stored for ready availability, that it be quickly and efliciently assembled by simple manipulation of the components, and that it be rigid, sturdy, and capable of withstanding stress in its assembled condition. While the prior art has shown separable and collapsible tables, it has fallen short of satisfactorily fulfilling the above requirements. It is a principal objective of the present invention to meet these requirements by providing a table having a top removably secured to an expansible horizontal supporting framework which in turn is removably secured to leg units.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a sturdy table readily assembled and disassembled in several basic components; namely, a top which is removably secured to supporting beams which in turn are removably secured to a pair of collapsible sawhorses.

Another objective of the invention is to provide a table having a plurality of top elements and supporting beams which slidably receive said elements in a manner to join them in edge-to-edge relationship.

A further object of the invention is to provide a separable table having a removable horizontal support framework which is collapsible upon disassembly.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a table having a pair of support beams which are expansible to a maximum parallel spacing for accurate alignment with fastening means on both a table top and the leg units therefor.

These and other objects of the invention will become more apparent to those skilled in the art by reference to the following detailed description when viewed in light of the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the table;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view thereof;

FIGURE 3 is a bottom plan view thereof;

FIGURE 4 is a top plan view of the table with its top elements removed;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view of FIG- URE 4;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged perspective view of a center bracket;

FIGURE 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 77 in FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary enlarged bottom plan view of the table top elements;

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line 9-9 in FIGURE 8;

FIGURE 10 is a view of the elements of FIGURE 9 engaged with a center bracket;

FIGURE 11 is a fragmentary enlarged side elevation of a locking assembly; and

FIGURE 12 shows a fragmentary enlarged cross-sectional view of a leg unit and horizontal framework.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like numerals indicate like parts, the numeral 10 indicates the table of this invention. The table is comprised generally of table top elements or slabs 12 and 13, a horizontal reinforcing framework 14, and leg units 16 and 17, The top elements 12 and 13 are removably secured to the assembly 14 and the assembly 14 is in turn removably secured to the leg units 16 and 17.

The table tops 12 and 13 are identical planar pieces usually rectangular in shape. Arranged rectangularl along the bottom of each slab are four locking studs 18. As seen best in FIGURE 9, the studs are secured in place by screws and carry locking discs 20 at their outer ends. The locking discs 20 are spaced from the bottom surface to engage locking plates described hereinafter. On their bottom surface at their joining edges the slabs have mating side grooves 21 and 23.

The framework 14 is comprised of two elongated parallel beams 24 and 25 connected together by a pair of parallel pivot bar assemblies 26. Each assembly 26 includes a primary bar 28 having first ends pivotally connected near the ends of beams 24 and 25 and second ends pivoted near midportions thereof. Each assembly also includes secondary pivot bars or links 30 having first ends pivotally secured to one of the beams and its other end pivotally secured intermediate the length of one of the bars 28. Each secondary bar 30 is articulated into two Segments 31 and 32 so that it can fold upon itself. A boss 33 on the segment 31 and a receiving notch 34 in the segment 32 permit the articulated bar 30 to fold upon itself in one direction only.

The beams 24 and 25 have a plurality of end brackets 36 aflixed to their upper surfaces. Each of the end brackets 36 have a raised midportion 37 slotted at 35. Center brackets 38 located midway between the end brackets 36 are configured similarly to the end brackets 36 but each is formed with a pair of slots 39. Secured intermediate the slots 39 of the center brackets 38 are guide pins 39. Note that all of the slots 37 and 39 open in the same direction.

In order to prevent a lateral sliding movement between the tops and the beams, a pair of discs 40 are provided on the beam 24 in order to cooperate with each locking pin 22. The discs 40 are pivotally secured to the side of the beam about a horizontal axis and have upper and lower projecting flanges 42 and 43 respectively. The flanges are limited in movement by stop pins 44 and 45 which are so located that when the lower flange 43 abuts against the stop pin 44, the upper flange 42 will be below the top edge of the beam and thus below the upper surface of the beams. When the disc is partially rotated so that the lower flange 43 abuts against the stop pin 45, the upper flange 42 will project above the beam directly adjacent the locking pin 22 to prevent any lateral sliding movement of the table tops 12 and 13.

In order to removably secure the beams 24 and 25 to the leg units 16 and 17, a bore 46 is provided in the underside of the beams adjacent their ends. The boxes 46 have internally threaded metal inserts 48 rigidly secured therein as by a transverse pin. The leg units 16 support the beam assembly 14 and the table tops 12 at a desirable elevation. A collapsible sawhorse such as that described in my copending application Ser. No. 638,785 filed on May 16, 1967 is suitable as a leg unit 16.

The leg units 16 and 17 are located parallel to each other and perpendicular to the beams 24 and 25. Each leg unit has a pair of bores 52 through its rail 54. Received in the bore is a wing bolt 56 having a neck 58 which is of smaller diameter than its end threaded portion 60. A retaining washer 62 is secured to the underside of the rail 54 over the bore 52 and has an aperture 64 small enough to retain the wing bolt in the bore 52. The wing bolts 56 are threadably secured to the beams 24 and 25 via the metal inserts 48. v a

The table may be assembled, disassembled and stored witha minimum amount of time, eifort, and space. To

dicular to their longitudinal axis. The pivot bar assembly 26 permits beam spacing until the secondary bar 30 unfolds and the limiting boss 33 is engaged within the a notch 34. r I

The framework 14 is secured to the leg units 16 and 17 by threadably engaging the bolts 56 with the metal inserts 48. The sawhorses and the beams provide a stable and rigid framework on which the utility surface or the slabs 12 and 13 are secured. It is to be noted that the maximum spaced configuration of the beam assembly 14 simplifies the assembly operation by aligning the bores 46 with the wing bolts 56 as well as the brackets 36 and 38 with the lugs 18.

The table tops 12 are separately positioned on the beams 24 and by slidingly engaging the groove 21 on the guide pins 39. The tops are initially positioned slightly away from the slot openings 37 and 39 and locking discs are guided into the slots by maintaining a light pressure against groove 21 as a table top is moved toward the brackets. At the completion of this assembly operation, the discs 40 are rotated until the upper flanges 42 are interposed in front of stops 22.

In order to disassemble the .table 10, the steps of the r connector means connecting said beams for movement toward and away from one another and including means for locking said first beam in spaced, parallel relationship to said second beam, said connector means including first and second bars of equal length having first ends pivotally connected to said firstbeam at first distances from the ends of said beams and second ends pivotally connected'to said second beam at second distances equal to said first distances, said locking means including first and said first beam at points spaced from the pivotal connections of's'aid first ends of said first and second bars; and having second. ends pivotally connected to said first and second bars respectively intermediate the lengths of, said bars, said links being foldable upon themselves and maintaining said beams in said spaced relationship when in extended position,

' first and second table tops juxtaposed together along a common edge supported on said beams with said common edge normal to said beams and lying over an intermediate length of said beams,

cooperating engaging means between said table and said beams preventing longitudinal movement between said tops and said beams, and

second cooperating engaging means preventing lateral movement between said tops and said beams.

2. The table of claim 1 wherein a second lock means on said leg assemblies is disposed below a cooperative element on said beams when said beams are spaced at a selected distance.

3. .The table of claim 1 wherein said cooperating engaging means comprises:

a plurality of brackets secured to said table and having 1 a plurality of grooves therein; and

a plurality of discs depending from said tops engaging said grooves.

V 4. The table of claim 3 wherein said second cooperating means includes a plurality of pins depending from said table and blocking cams supported about a horizontal axis on said beam and juxtaposed adjacent said pins when said discs are engaged by said grooves.

5. The table of claim 3 wherein at least one of said brackets is a middle bracket located approximately midway of the length of one of said beams, said slabs having a common groove formed along said common edge and What has been set forth above is intended primarily in the a roller member extending from said middle bracket into said groove. 1 References Cited UNITEDSTATES PATENTS 861,496 7/ 1907 Breckenridge 108-28 1,104,018 7/1914 ThjsS 108155 2,156,507 5/1939 Means 5-114 XR 2,335,140 11/1943 B611 5-82 2,396,931 3/1946 Schmid 5-82 2,837,389 6/1958 Brown 108-455 BOBBY R. GAY, Primary Examiner GLENN O. FINCH, Assistant Examiner second links having first ends pivotally secured to 

